Plans Announced For Fourth 9/11 Remembrance Next Month

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki this week announced New York City’s plans to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. As with previous ceremonies, the observance will take place at the World Trade Center site on the morning of Sunday, September 11. Siblings will play a large role in this year’s ceremony by reading the names of the victims, while music will provide a backdrop throughout the program. The ceremony will pause at four moments – twice to mark the times that each plane hit the towers, and twice to mark the time when each tower fell. The first moment of silence will be at 8:46 AM and houses of worship will be asked to toll their bells at that time. While the names are read, family members will be able to descend the ramp to the lowest level of the site where they may lay flowers. The ceremony will conclude at approximately noon, however, the site will remain open to families until 4:00 PM.

At sundown, the “Tribute in Light” will return for one night (September 11), in memory of those lost and as a symbol of the spirit of our community. The “Tribute in Light” will be located at a new site this year at West and Morris Streets in Lower Manhattan.

“As New York City’s renewal continues, we pause on the anniversary of that terrible day in September of 2001 to remember those we lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to honor their lives,” said the Mayor. “On the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attack here in New York City, we plan to mark this solemn occasion by asking siblings to take the lead in this year’s ceremony. In this small way, we acknowledge the special bonds they share with their beloved brothers and sisters who died that day.”

There will be, as there has been each year, a statewide moment of silence and ringing of bells at 8:46 a.m., so that people from all over New York State, across America and the world, can take a moment to remember the heroes we lost and the spirit of freedom that prevailed on that day.

Information about access, transportation and other logistics for the day will be disseminated to the families through the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit. Participants will be selected by lottery.